Fibromyalgia Nutrition

Fibromyalgia Nutrition: The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia

The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia: What is Fibromyalgia?

In order to find out the best diet for fibromyalgia, we have to have a little background on what the condition is first:

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is most often characterized by musculoskeletal pain all over the body, that is sometimes accompanied by fatigue, as well as memory, sleep, and mood issues. Some scientists and researchers have concluded that fibromyalgia affects the pain receptors in your body in that they amplify the pain you feel.

What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia include but are not limited to:

Widespread Pain all over the body- The pain that is associated with fibromyalgia is considered widespread because it can be felt all over the body, occurring on both the left and right sides of the body, and even below and above your waist. Fibromyalgia pain is characterized by a constant dull ache that lasts for a long time, most commonly for three months or more.

Fatigue- Fatigue can be felt by people who are experiencing fibromyalgia. People who have fibromyalgia will often feel tired even after having slept, and their sleep is sometimes short-lived as it is constantly disrupted by pain.

Cognitive Problems- People with fibromyalgia have an impaired ability to focus, concentrate on mental tasks and sometimes will encounter problems even when simply paying attention.

The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia: Food You should avoid

If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or are experiencing fibromyalgia symptoms right now, you have probably wondered if there are any remedies you can try at home. Fortunately for you, many people with fibromyalgia have observed certain ingredients that may worsen the pain they feel or actually flare up the fibromyalgia symptoms that they feel.

Although there is no concrete diet to follow or that is recommended by experts when talking about the best diet for fibromyalgia, most patients undergoing fibromyalgia, if you ask them, will tell you that they have made changes in their diet to help improve their condition or lessen the pain they feel.

Some of the food that fibromyalgia patients avoid are listed below, along with much healthier alternatives:

Caffeine- Caffeine, which is found commonly in coffee, chocolates and cola drinks can be detrimental to a person with fibromyalgia. Although it is understandable that drinking coffee can help reduce the fatigue caused by fibromyalgia, caffeine intake should be lessened so as to induce sleep and proper rest, which is a big factor in minimizing the pain caused by fibromyalgia.

It is ideal that you consume caffeine only during the morning, so as to not interfere with your sleep.

Sugar- sugar should definitely be avoided, as it adds unwanted weight to your body. Weight is a big factor in why people with fibromyalgia feel pain. Adding a few extra pounds won't relieve the pain you are feeling.

Mono Sodium Glutamate and Nitrites- Mono Sodium Glutamate or MSG are commonly used in most foods, especially in junk foods as a flavor enhancer. Nitrites are commonly used as preservatives in many processed foods such as cured meats and sauces. The products that use MSG and Nitrites will also tend to have lots of salt in them, which can cause the pain you are feeling fibromyalgia to flare up. It is a good measure to avoid prepackaged foods as much as you can, and instead focus on whole organic foods such as vegetables and fish.

Aspartame- aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in many market products nowadays, such as in the case of certain beverages, frozen desserts, yogurts and a whole host of other desserts. Aspartame is widely used as a sweetener as it doesn’t add any calories while effectively sweetening the product.

Aspartame is sometimes linked to fibromyalgia, in that avoiding consumption of the product will help improve the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia that a person feels. This is apparent in some cases where the patient, upon entering another country devoid of products containing aspartame, have noticed a significant improvement in the symptoms they are feeling.

The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia: Foods You Should Eat

Chlorella- chlorella is defined as algae found in freshwater that is highly similar to Spirulina. Chlorella is often available in 10-gram supplements. Some studies suggest that taking Chlorella Supplements have largely improved and relieved the pain they are feeling from fibromyalgia.

L-Carnitine- L-carnitine for those that don’t know is a compound made by the body that plays a large role in energy metabolism and cell protection. L-carnitine is largely popular nowadays and is included in various drinks that promote fitness and health. Scientists suggest that taking some form of L-carnitine supplement will help in improving the symptoms felt by people who are experiencing fibromyalgia.

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

The best position to lie to sleep is on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or on your side, make sure your pillow is not too thick. It should raise your head no more than 4 to 6 inches. This will keep your neck and head from turning to either side.

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

While you are working at a computer, sit comfortably in your chair with your computer in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them. When you open your eyes, you should see the middle of the computer screen. If your gaze is not in the middle of the screen, adjust the height of the screen using items like books.

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Use a telephone headset

Never hold a phone between your shoulder and your ear. Use a headset or other hands-free system to talk on the phone and avoid abusing your neck and spine.

Neck Pain Tips: Exercise your neck muscles

One of the best neck pain tips is using the chin tuck. You can do this often throughout the day. In addition to helping strengthen the muscles that hold the head in alignment over the shoulders, it also helps strengthen the scalene and sub-occipital muscles.

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

The best position to lie to sleep is on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or on your side, make sure your pillow is not too thick. It should raise your head no more than 4 to 6 inches. This will keep your neck and head from turning to either side.

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

While you are working at a computer, sit comfortably in your chair with your computer in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them. When you open your eyes, you should see the middle of the computer screen. If your gaze is not in the middle of the screen, adjust the height of the screen using items like books.

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Carry weight evenly

Many people make the mistake of carrying a heavy briefcase or their purse on their shoulder or on one side of their body. Doing this causes strain in the muscles and leads to pain.

Remove non-essentials from your briefcase or purse. Consider using a backpack to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders. If you choose to carry a purse or backpack, keep your shoulders level while carrying it.

Neck Pain Tips: Maintain a proper posture

The most common posture contributing to neck pain is the “head-and-shoulders-forward” posture. In this position, the neck slopes forward, putting the head in front of the shoulders.

In this position, the head pulls the upper back forward also in a slumped position. This places a strain on the entire spinal column.